Radio Free Albemuth

Rating:
Summary: A Culmination?
Review: I don't know why, but ever since I read RFA it has been my favorite book by PKD. Dick's strength has always been his loose entanglement ("grip" is too strong a word) with reality--something that has always shown in his work. His plots are never straight-forward and, when he is at his best, it is quite possible to finish one of his books and then ask yourself "what the heck really happened here?" Dick's ability to call even reality into question has always been his strength, and RFA is no exception. What makes this particular book so good is that his writing technique lives up to the task. All too often some of Dick's works come across with a jerky, "pulp" feel. This is not bad, and it fits his style and his earlier plots, but is usually not a recipe for creating a classic. In his later works, though, he really developed his writing into something that could stand on its own, and when coupled to his extraordinary plots amd ideas would make for an unmatched read in sci-fi. His VALIS trilogy is, according to many, the greatest of his many masterpieces. RFA is not really a part of that trilogy, as it was written separately and not published until well after Dick's death, as a sort of addendum. In one sense, though, I feel like it takes all of the ideas Dick was struggling with and developing in his later years--ideas about the nature of God, the history of humanity, the question of why there are so many religions and is it really possible for us to come together on that issue--and writes them out more clearly and succinctly than any other of his novels. Don't get me wrong, they're all great. But RFA is sort of the "meat and potatoes" of his ideas--clear, organized, and what's best: it's got a great plot. It's about love, death, the threat of communism, political revolutions, subliminal messages, record stores, messages from the stars, and votive candles. What more could you want?

Rating:
Summary: Not quite sure...
Review: I'm only part way through this book, and I'm re-reading VALIS (a book I'd rate at 10) at the same time. What strikes me is that despite different plot lines and different characters, both have some elements that are identical. The protagonist is communicated to by VALIS via a beam of light in both. VALIS informes both of a birth defect in their son (identical defects, identical results, different characters). I'm going to continue and see if there are other similarities. So far it looks like RFA (posthumously published from notes found by a friend of Dick) is a rip-off from VALIS, or possibly a rejected first copy. That's not to say it isn't good or worth reading. I just have a suspiscion that it's not to original. CIAO... --Terrapin

Rating:
Summary: Good SF, Excellent Theory about God
Review: In RFA, PKD realizes that the Earth is a single planet subject to the technologies of other planets. Using their advanced technologies, other civilizations could create our civilization in their image. That is God. God is the altruistic element of a society (or perhaps the society is entirely altruistic) light years away, beaming their thoughts through satellite hovering above Earth and into a few lucky people's bodies. This was his hope, that non-corporeal entities (angels) could help us "good" people fight the establishment of stupid, paranoid, mean-spirited assholes that now rule most of the world. As with most Dick, only California can save us (has he forgotten his MW roots?), and only those who act as if they have taken too many drugs are the instruments of God's will. PKD was a very smart man who could get his ideas down on paper reasonably well. Especially chilling are Nicholas's encounters with the agents of the facist regime that has taken over America. All in all, a very good book containing many of the same elements of his other good books.

Rating:
Summary: PKD's attempt to make sense of revelation
Review: Much like VALIS, one must combine the two main characters to understand what PKD is doing. He uses his narrator as an analytic third person to gain objectivity from his personal revelation. This book, the VALIS trilogy, and A Scanner Darkly are the best primer to PKD's Exegesis

Rating:
Summary: Top Dick!
Review: Philip Dick has once again created a moving and interest-grabbing novel by merging themes. I picked it up based on the alternate-america totalitarian plot but was later struck by the religious themes. They were well-blended to create one of Dick's best novels. If anyone considers themself a Dick afficionado and has not read this, they should do so as soon as possible. A masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Paranoia will destroy you
Review: Radio Free Albemuth captures the true meaning of paranoia. The book swiftly tells the story of a wicked and manipulative government attacking its own citizens. With elements of George Orwell's 1984, Radio Free Albemuth focuses on the federal government spying on its own citizens to find out who is being unpatriotic.

Author Philip Dick uses himself as one of the main characters of this eerie story, making it seem quick feasible. Dick plays himself - a science fiction writer. His long-time friend in the story is Nicholas Brady, who works at Progressive Records. Nick's job is to audition and sign new artists (mostly folk) to the label.

Nick begins to experience dreams, which seem to predict the near future. Then he starts hearing voices while he is awake. Confused at first what this means, Nick turns to Phil for advice about his experiences. Soon Nick gets a visit from government officials called FAPS (Friends of American Patriotism). They question his patriotism. In order to prove his loyalty, the FAPs want him to agree to sign only artists with government approved messages. When Nick is reluctant to agree to this proposal, they become more suspicious of him and his possible affiliation with a communist party called Aramchek.

The story revolves around this concept. Throughout the story the FAPs get more aggressive and Nick more paranoid. He increasingly hears and experiences sub-human things. Is the government making those voices or is it another life form?

If you like Cyberpunk novels that are realistic enough to get you thinking and evaluating your own government, this book is a must read. This book never has a dull moment.

Rating:
Summary: This is a masterpiece. By far the most frightening yet.
Review: Radio Free Albemuth is one of my top 3 favorite books by the master. It actually bumped Valis down to 4. It actually has somewhat of a variant storyline from Valis but there is so much original work it doesnt feel repetitive. Anyone who is a PKD fan should try very hard to find a quiet night alone, no distractions, and just merge with the book. It is told from 2 viewpoints, Phil's and his best friend, and each takes up where the other leaves off. It is very well done and by the end you will definitely want to re-read some of his later work. Can't say more without ruining it. Enjoy. If anyone wants to discuss it after reading it reach me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: explicitly autobiographical
Review: RFA is a good book if you like PKD and are familiar with his themes, his life, and the specific concerns that he had at this point in his life. As a novel, RFA is quite lacking. As art is incomplete. Valis would prove this, and would remedy the problem. I read RFA after 30 other PKD novels, so naturally I loved it, but I think that it is not the best example of PKD the artist.

Rating:
Summary: Clever alternate 2nd coming story
Review: This book (RFA), Valis and Divine Invasion are essentially the same excellent book/story. If Valis is the Oxford English Dictionary version of the story, then RFA is Webster's dictionary. This is the best book to start with, to prime yourself for the others. As an earlier amazon.com critique pointed out, this is a cool way to think of the GOD/Jesus phenomenon. Much more comfortable (and believable) for me than normal dogma. A friend and I were inspired back in '87 (harmonic convergance) to do an album on pink vinyl with angelic messages after reading this book. The LP is dedicated to Philip K. Dick, John Lennon and world peace. I hope Ferris Freemont or the FAP doesn't find us! (if you've read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about). Read it.

Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: This book and UBIK are PKD's two greatest masterpieces. I can see why he never dared publish this book while he was alive: it frankly, almost brutally, describes all the deep dark mysteries merely hinted at in his other books. He may have been afraid people would laugh at this book. There is some humor, but I'm not laughing at this book. You shouldn't either. It's even more relevant now (1999) than when he wrote it.